When Saskatchewan hosts its first-ever professional kickboxing matches this weekend, English River First Nation’s Scott Gunn will be stepping into the ring for a milestone moment of his own.
Gunn is making his professional combat sports debut on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of Kopas Boxing Series #12 — “This Bout Is for Truth” at the Dakota Dunes Casino & Event Centre.
For Gunn, the opportunity to compete professionally on home soil represents a long-overdue shift for combat sports athletes in the province.
“I think it’s going to be one of the first pro kickboxing fights in Saskatchewan,” Gunn said in an interview prior to the fight. “Hopefully, if that goes well, we’ll be able to continue with that, because right now if athletes want to compete, they have to travel outside of the province.”
Gunn, who hails from Patuanak on English River First Nation, has spent more than a decade in martial arts.
After starting as a high school wrestler, he expanded into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, amateur Muay Thai, and amateur MMA.
In his professional kickboxing debut, Gunn—who is in his mid-30s—will square off against Saskatoon’s Kaden Greenbank, a fighter in his early 20s. Gunn views the match as a classic clash between youthful energy and veteran composure.
“He’s younger than me — I think 20 or 21, and I’m in my mid-30s,” Gunn noted. “He’ll have the power of youth on his side, and I might have a little bit more experience. I think I’m a little calmer now with age… experience helps.”
Gunn has been putting in daily gym sessions to ensure his conditioning holds up under the professional spotlight.
Reflecting on his roots in northern Saskatchewan, Gunn hopes his journey into professional combat sports serves as inspiration for youth back home.
“Up north, we don’t have these programs,” Gunn explained, adding that he didn’t have access to kickboxing or boxing until moving further south to communities like Meadow Lake and Prince Albert. “It’s pretty awesome to try to go out there and be a good role model.”
Support from English River First Nation has been pouring in on social media, with a contingent of fans traveling south to Saskatoon for the event.
“English River is showing a lot of support, and a few people will be coming down to check out the fight,” Gunn said. “That’s motivating. It makes me want to try harder and put on a good show. Win or lose, I’m always part of an exciting match, and I’m sure it’ll be the same on October 3rd.”
In addition to Gunn’s matchup, the sold-out card features a historic professional heavyweight kickboxing clash between Jon “Big Fiji” Panpasa of Green Dojo and Sandro “The Spartan” Celis.
Organizers also say the night will feature five Indigenous professional athletes competing.